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Happy Thanksgiving !This Week in the Blackwater Tactical Weekly…
Afghanistan–Pakistan Developments
Homeland Security–First Responder
From Our Friends at Total Intelligence Solutions If you are having trouble viewing
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| QUOTE OF THE WEEK |
| “I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians." – Charles De Gaulle |
| WEEKLY SECURITY DEVELOPMENTS |
Lesson of the Maersk Alabama? Fire BackMilitary.comThe lesson from an unsuccessful pirate attack in the Gulf of Aden this week was simple: Guns talk. The Maersk Alabama, the American-flagged ship infamously attacked by pirates in April, was attacked again Monday when Somali pirates opened fire on the ship in an attempt to board it. But the pirates didn't get far this time, after a four-man security team aboard the ship fired back, thwarting the attack. |
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| U.S. DEFENSE NEWS |
The Right to Bear Arms: Gunship Kits for America’s C-130sDefense Industry DailySpecial Operations Command’s AC-130H/U gunships can lay down withering hails of accurate fire, up to and including 105mm howitzer shells, in order to support ground troops. The Marines wanted heavy aircraft that could support their Leathernecks on the ground. The bad news was that the Corps could field about 45 KC-130J aerial tankers for the price of a 12-plane AC-130J squadron, and lighter options like the AC-27J “Stinger II” would probably tally similar costs once R&D dollars were factored in. Full StorySpecial Forces Ready to Unleash the PDAs of WarWired Defense Blog – Danger RoomRight now in Afghanistan, most U.S. infantrymen don’t have a personal radio, or a way to digitally keep tabs on their fellow troops. One brigade has got the right gear - but it means strapping on an extra eight pounds’ worth of radios and computers. But next month, 10 or 20 extremely lucky special forces will get another option to locate and talk to one another: handheld PCs that weigh a pound and half each. Full StoryLaser Weapon Downs 6 Planes in Boeing TestUnited Press InternationalNew laser weaponry being developed at Boeing has dealt a telling blow to airborne aircraft -- all of them unmanned -- in successful tests that take military laser technology a few steps closer to assuming a key role in future conflicts. Industry analysts see laser weapons as a major step toward a more effective -- and more cost-effective -- deterrent to enemy threats from the air. Full StoryAnti-RPG Crosshairs Gets More TeethAres Defense TechnologyDARPA is about to take the next step in protecting light tactical vehicles from RPGs and other threats by integrating its Crosshairs counter-shooter system with its Iron Curtain active protection system, and installing them on an MRAP for testing. Full StoryArmy Tests Wallpaperlike Material That Could Keep Out Blast DebrisStars and StripesOne idea the Army is testing to safeguard its soldiers is a wallpaperlike material that protects building occupants from blasts. The material is called X-Flex and it is designed to protect people inside buildings at forward operating bases and at other potential targets. X-Flex was developed by Indiana-based Berry Plastics and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Full Story |
| INTERNATIONAL MILITARY NEWS |
Oshkosh to Display Sandcat at International Armored VehiclesDefense TalkOshkosh Defense will showcase their vehicle armoring capabilities at International Armored Vehicles taking place on the 1st to the 5th February, at the ExCel Centre, London. As calls across the globe for improved equipment to be provided to troops in Afghanistan, Oshkosh have received significant praise from the U.S Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, who claims that Oshkosh’s rapid build up of a new class of military vehicles designed for specifically for Afghanistan, is one of the most remarkable efforts in the defense industry since World War II. Full StoryIntelligence Ops Greatest Chinese Threat to U.S.Defense NewsWith new submarines, destroyers and mine warfare ships, China's Navy is clearly benefiting from modernization financed by the nation's rapidly growing economy, a new report tells U.S. lawmakers. But a more shadowy Chinese force probably poses a greater immediate threat to the United States - that is, China's secretive army of intelligence collectors and cyber warriors, according to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Full StoryA Joint European Army of Tomorrow: A New PerspectiveGlobal SecurityNATO has been actively discussing the possibility of establishing a joint European army for a long time. The latest discussion was triggered after The Times published an interview with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini on November 15, 2009. In his interview, Frattini said Italy would push for the creation of a European Army after the "new Europe" takes shape at this week's crucial November 19 EU summit following the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty. Full StoryRussia’s SU-35: Mystery Fighter No MoreDefense Industry DailyAs one of our readers noted, DID’s articles from 2005-2007 seem to describe 2 different SU-35s. One is a mid-life modernized SU-27 Flanker, but there’s also a much more re-engineered “SU-35” variant with canards, thrust vectoring, etc. which has been confused with (and possibly re-designated between) the SU-37. So, what do we mean by “SU-35”? Full StoryGulf States Requesting ABM-Capable SystemsDefense Industry DailyA 2007 US National Intelligence Assessment [redacted NIE summary] believes Iran’s nuclear program has stopped, but others, including the United Nations and Israel are more skeptical. Intelligence is always a very uncertain and ambiguous exercise, and occasionally features assessments like the infamous NIE whose 1962 judgment was that there were no Soviet missiles in Cuba. Full Story |
| AFGHANISTAN–PAKISTAN DEVELOPMENTS |
French and Afghan Troops Push into Hostile Tagab Valley in Kapisa ProvinceAssociated PressHundreds of French and Afghan troops pushed into a hostile valley in eastern Afghanistan where militants launch quick attacks, then disappear into hillside villages. The mission: secure the area for a planned bypass road around the Afghan capital to move supplies from neighboring Pakistan. About 700 French troops, joined by 100 Afghan soldiers, moved into the Tagab valley before dawn with more than 100 armored vehicles. Full StoryNo Afghan Decision Before ThanksgivingWashington PostPresident Obama will not announce his decision on sending more troops to Afghanistan before the Thanksgiving holiday, senior aides said Thursday. The news came as the president greeted 1,500 troops at Osan Air Base in South Korea, just before boarding Air Force One and heading back to Washington after an eight-day trip to Asia. Full StoryPakistan Worries Over New U.S. Afghan StrategyReutersAs the United States ponders its Afghan strategy, Pakistan is waiting nervously, worried that a U.S. troops surge would widen the war but also keen to see a robust U.S. commitment that would convince the Taliban to talk. U.S. President Barack Obama pledged on Wednesday to end the Afghan war before he leaves office. Full StoryWhy Pakistan Won't Fight the Afghan TalibanTIME MagazinePresident Barack Obama is about to announce his new strategy for Afghanistan, but the success of whatever option he chooses will depend heavily on Pakistan acting to stop its territory being used to attack Western forces next door. And that's bad news, because the demands of its own domestic counterinsurgency campaign, doubts about the duration of U.S. commitment in Afghanistan and looming political instability in Islamabad have left Pakistan in no hurry to help out. |
| HOMELAND SECURITY–FIRST RESPONDER |
Inside the Minds of EMS ManagementEMS ResponderNorthrop Grumman Corp. said it won a $46 million contract to provide communication help to U.S. immigration and customs enforcement. The contract from the U.S. Homeland Security Department runs for one base year with four one–year optionsWhat are EMS bosses worrying about these days? Plenty, and three big issues received airings at the National EMS Management Association's EMS Administrator, Manager and Chief Forum, held at EMS EXPO in October in Atlanta, GA. Each topic began with a brief presentation, and was then opened to attendee inquiry and discussion. Full StoryAirports Must Screen Passengers on Perceived RiskAirport TechnologyA radical overhaul of airport security is needed, which will allow passengers to be screened depending on their perceived threat level, according to a leading expert. Green Light managing director Philip Baum said that airports must implement a system of active positive profiling and reduce the number of crowds at check-in, which in turn create fresh risks. Hackers Create Tools for Disaster ReliefCNET NewsGoogle, Microsoft, and Yahoo may be tough competitors when it comes to Internet software and services, but they are putting their differences aside to build a developer community to tackle bigger picture problems like saving lives in emergencies. The companies have joined with NASA, the World Bank, and PR agency SecondMuse to organize the first-ever Random Hacks of Kindness event. Al-Qaeda’s New WeaponNewsreel BlogGoogle, Microsoft, and Yahoo may be tough competitors when it comes to Internet software and services, but they are putting their differences aside to build a developer community to tackle bigger picture problems like saving lives in emergencies. The companies have joined with NASA, the World Bank, and PR agency SecondMuse to organize the first-ever Random Hacks of Kindness event. |
| FROM OUR FRIENDS AT TOTAL INTELLIGENCE SOLUTIONS |
United Kingdom: Islamist and Neo-Nazi Threats a Rising ConcernHighlights
Speaking to the Lord Mayor’s Banquet at Guildhall on November 16, 2009, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned that international terrorism and al-Qaeda remain the biggest threat to the country’s national security. In addition to threats posed by Islamic organizations, Britain’s most senior anti-terror officer, John Yates, claims that the United Kingdom (UK) is facing a rising threat from violent neo-Nazis operating in the country. Intelligence suggests these violent individuals are planning attacks and operating alone without organized networks. While neither threat from Islamist terrorists or far right extremists is imminent, British law enforcement will likely treat them as such. Fighting al-Qaeda abroad in Afghanistan as well as at home—where Islamists are mobilizing and actively recruiting from high security prisons—will remain a priority for the UK for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, security forces will face the challenge of preventing small-scale and unorganized far right attacks on minorities in the near to medium-term. The Islamist Threat Gordon Brown spoke of the threats posed by al-Qaeda in order to defend the country’s mission in Afghanistan and Pakistan at a time when many British citizens are losing faith in the war and calling on the government to pull its approximately 9,000 troops out of the war. While Coalition forces are fighting Islamists directly in the lawless border area, we note the Islamist threat to the UK is also breeding within the country itself. Al-Qaeda has extensive recruitment operations across Western Europe, including the UK. Most recently, on November 15, 2009, a British think tank released a report revealing evidence that Muslim extremists are actively recruiting future terrorists from pools of young men held for petty crimes in high-security prisons in the UK: •Abu Qatada—once described as Osama bin Laden’s ambassador in Europe—has been smuggling fatwas containing arguments legitimizing the murder of those opposed to al-Qaeda and other propaganda from prison with the help of visitors, who then spread his message on the Internet. Given that studies show that most extremists radicalized in prison take up to five to seven years to fully transform into violent jihadists, it is difficult to quantify the effects of these recruitment efforts. Nevertheless, we remain concerned that as this trend continues, British prisons risk becoming terrorist breeding grounds. Although Britain has no evidence of an imminent Islamist attack within the UK or even against British interests abroad, recent anti-terrorism raids in Manchester led to the detention of five young Islamists under the Terrorism Act. These men were arrested on suspicion of various degrees of terrorist activity overseas, suggesting that Islamist groups are not only plotting against British interests from Afghanistan and Pakistan, but are also operating from within the UK. The Neo-Nazi Threat Britain’s most senior anti-terror officer, John Yates, said on November 10, 2009 that the United Kingdom (UK) is allocating more resources to monitor violent neo-Nazis operating in the country and to counter the growing threat from far-right extremists. There have been several incidents demonstrating the rising threat of attacks by far right lone wolf extremists in the UK in recent months: •Over the summer, Neil Lewington, or the ‘Bedroom Bomber,’ was convicted of plotting a racist attack to emulate the London nail bomber David Copeland and Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. We note that, in addition to disorganized far right attacks, racist and fascist groups such as the anti-Muslim English Defence League have frequently turned to violence over recent months, heightening inter-ethnic tensions throughout the country. These radical groups have gained support in Britain’s wounded economy over the past year. Furthermore, the rise of radical Islamist groups, including Anjem Choudary’s Islam 4 UK movement, which calls for the implementation of Shariah law in the UK, have likely contributed to Britain’s shift toward the right. Outlook Although British security agency MI5 reported in early 2009 that the threat from Islamist groups in general and al-Qaeda in particular had declined, we believe these international terrorist groups remain focused on attacking the UK, maintaining British and Western interests as priority targets. As Gordon Brown continues to back US foreign policies and the war in Afghanistan, the more distant, but potentially more lethal threat from al-Qaeda continues. Al-Qaeda is exploiting the prison system to advance its campaign, and these recruitment efforts will likely result in a new generation of violent jihadists based in the UK over the coming years. As for far-right domestic terrorism, increased attention to neo-Nazi groups in the country is a significant cause for concern. While we have no evidence of an imminent attack, we believe minorities in highly populated public venues, including large shopping areas and outdoor markets, are likely targets for lone wolf neo-Nazis during the Christmas season and after. The greatest challenge facing British counterterrorism forces in the near to medium-term will be attempting to separate far-right extremists spewing rhetoric, from the violent ‘lone-wolf’ offenders like Neil Lewington. The preceding article is part of subscription service created byTotal Intelligence Solutions (TIS). For additional information, please contact Brad Slade at bslade@totalintel.com. |
| BUMPER STICKER |
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| FRANKS REVIEW |
Tactical Equipment EvaluationBeretta Model 85FSA long time ago in a galaxy far away… well, actually not THAT long ago and not far away at all, I purchased a Beretta Model 85 “Cheetah” in .380ACP for off-duty carry. While I wasn’t then, and am not still, a huge fan of the .380ACP cartridge for self-defense use, I am reminded by my good friend Chuck Buis: the best caliber handgun for self-defense is the one you have WITH you when you need it. The .380ACP cartridge represented a compromise for me between small enough to carry and big enough to stop the bad guy. Let me share my decade long testing of this weapon / cartridge with you.Full Story Can Be Viewed At: http://www.newamericantruth.com/reviews/guns/beretta85.htm Recreational Equipment Review“History in Blue” by Allan T. DuffinMost of the time when I’m reading to relax I prefer fiction. That said, I’ve received a couple of books across the past year or so that are historical books about topics I find to be of interest. “History in Blue” is about the history of women in law enforcement. Since I’ve had a long standing interest in women and an on-going interest in law enforcement I thought this might be one I’d enjoy. I certainly learned things I never knew and realized that our country has somewhat of a lack of logic where women in the law enforcement profession are concerned. Let me explain…Full Story Can Be Viewed At: http://www.newamericantruth.com/reviews/recread/historyinblue.htm |
| CHAPLAINS CORNER |
THANKSGIVINGIn our world today many will ask, "Why should I give thanks?" or maybe ask, "What do I have to be thankful for?"We have had so much turmoil in our world and in personal lives. Storms, murders, personal loss, illness and injury among loved ones, war casualties, national morale plummeting… Even those who know better are falling into the complaining trap and not seeing that there is much to be thankful for. Full article can be seen at: http://www.ustraining.com/new/btw/chaplain/112309chaplain.htm |
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The Blackwater Tactical Weekly is a free weekly e–publication. The Mission of the Blackwater Tactical Weekly is to provide readers with valuable information from diverse sources regarding tactical, strategic, and geo–political security issues. Editor–in–Chief – N Conley (btw@ustraining.com) Questions regarding US Training (252) 435–2035 To subscribe to the Blackwater Tactical Weekly, Click Here To view an archived edition of the Blackwater Tactical Weekly, Click Here |
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